Intro to Geothermal – What on earth are they talking about?

Geothermal is a method used to heat or cool an inside space, be it commercial or residential. Cold Craft's geothermal clients include Google (corporate HQ in Mountain View, CA) and larger single family residential customers to go green and have energy efficient, renewable heating and air conditioning.

ge·o·ther·mal

Courtesy of dictionary.reference.com

[jee-oh-thur-muhl]adjectiveoforpertainingtotheinternalheatoftheearth.

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When discussing geothermal in terms of heating and air conditioning of interior locations we are either pulling the warmth out of the earth to heat or we are throwing off heat into the earth to cool the interior air. Think of this as using the earth as a 'heat bank' of sorts. You deposit heat into the earth (during the air conditioning cycle) then when the time is right you make withdrawls of the heat during the colder months. Watch the video below for more information about how geothermal works.

For our unique South Bay climate, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. During the summer heat pumps operate like a normal air conditioner. They transfer heat from the home to the atmosphere.

During the heating season, this process is reversed and the heat pump moves heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house. Because they transfer heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide significant savings over other forms of heat.

The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your house and the outside air. If you heat with electricity, a heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating by as much as 50%-75%. The ideal system for secondary energy is SOLAR electric panels. Geothermal heating works well in concert with solar electric panels. The earth is the source of heat and the sun's energy can hlp power the fans to move the air about in your home. Together this system would greatly lessens your carbon foot print. Another use of geothermal is in the heating of the buildings hot water.

For a limited time the Federal Government is offering a 30% tax credit (without any cap) on solar and geothermal systems. Check with your CPA to see if you qualify.

If this method to reduce your carbon footprint appeals to you, please call us and we can discuss what you have in mind and perhaps we can make it a reality.